Westmoreland category, Page 448
Westmoreland County Community College inks new transfer agreement
When the governors of 19 western states joined forces 24 years ago to establish a new kind of college, no one could have anticipated how it would grow. But grow it did, and now Western Governors University — a private nonprofit college that offers a low-cost, competency-based approach to higher...
Police: Accused robber asked mom for a mask before going into convenience store
The mother of a 25-year-old man arrested in a failed robbery of a Penn Township convenience store Wednesday told investigators she thought it was “weird” when he asked for a covid-19 mask before entering the store. After putting on the mask, the woman’s son, Jaime T. Shipley, exited his mother’s...
New Kensington woman sentenced to probation in drug scheme at Westmoreland jail
A New Kensington woman was sentenced to three years of probation Thursday for a minor role in what authorities have described as a year-long scheme to get drugs into the Westmoreland County Prison. Sandra Gonzalez-Morales, 24, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility. “I’m just looking...
Pavilion, pond restoration among plans for outdoor classroom at Greensburg Salem High
Greensburg Salem is considering construction of a pavilion and other improvements to make an outdoor area used by science classes into a space that can be used for a broader range of courses. Many area schools are looking for ways to get students outdoors more during the covid-19 pandemic. The...
Murrysville teen pushes through chronic illness, pain to set state powerlifting records
Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would...
Irwin artist inspired to draw ’13 Fallen Heroes,’ portraits of those killed by Kabul bomberVideo
Editor’s note: Neighbor Spotlight is a monthly feature that aims to let our readers learn more about the people in their communities who are working to make them a better place, who have interesting stories to tell or who the community feels deserve “15 minutes of fame.” If you would...
40 evacuated residents and staff return to Salem senior home after heat restored
About 40 residents and staff members evacuated from a Salem senior home Tuesday were able to return to the facility just after midnight Wednesday after firefighters were able to set up temporary heating sources in the building. Fire crews from Slickville and Forbes Road were called shortly before 8 p.m....
Murrysville Council approves 1st tax hike since 2007 on earned income, real-estate transfer taxes
Murrysville Council voted unanimously Wednesday to bump its share of the earned income tax from 0.5 to 0.7%, and its share of the real-estate transfer tax from 0.5% to 1%. It is the first municipal tax hike since 2007. Finance Director Diane Heming said she anticipates the move will bring...
Westmoreland GOP crows over election wins as Democrats look to redefine message
Westmoreland is a Republican county. While that has been the the case for the last several years, Tuesday’s GOP victories solidifies the party’s dominance in local politics. Those wins will give Republicans control of every elected office in county government as well as every state and federal office specific to...
Here’s how PennDOT trains snowplow drivers for the upcoming winterVideo
Unlike a lot of people, Ann Rogers does not mind driving in the snow. For the PennDOT driver, it’s something that comes with her job. “I really love plowing snow,” said Rogers, who has been keeping state roads in the Uniontown area clear for the past three years. Rogers was...
Ziccarelli ready for new job as Westmoreland County District Attorney
Nicole Ziccarelli knows her successful campaign that ousted six-term Democrat John Peck is only the beginning. The hard part begins in January, when she takes over as Westmoreland County District Attorney. “I’m glad I have two months to prepare,” Ziccarelli said Wednesday, hours after she received more than 57% of...
Man being questioned by Penn Township police after failed robbery at Harrison City gas station
Penn Township police questioned a man who they suspect is responsible for an unsuccessful robbery attempt at a convenience store-gas station in Harrison City Wednesday. Police Chief John Otto said the attempted robbery occurred about 11:15 a.m. when a man entered a BP station at the corner of Harrison City-Export...
Excela Health expanding into Connellsville with new $12 million complex
Excela Health is taking another step outside of Westmoreland County with plans for a $12 million medical complex in Connellsville that could be completed in 2023. Building the 30,000-square-foot Excela Square outpatient and ambulatory care center in Fayette County is a “logical choice” in extending the health system’s reach, Excela...
Greensburg Salem voters retain Jobe, Metrosky, add 2 new school board members
Greensburg Salem voters on Tuesday selected incumbents Lynn Jobe and Jeff Metrosky to serve new four-year terms on the school board, along with two newcomers, Emily Miller and Heather Shearer. Jobe earned both party nominations in the primary and received the most votes on Tuesday, with more than 20% of...
Musick, Repko earn seats on Greater Latrobe School Board, with incumbents Kozar, Palmer
Incumbent Heidi Kozar led Tuesday’s race for four seats on Greater Latrobe School Board, garnering 20.8% of the 19,421 votes cast, according to unofficial election results. Also winning terms were fellow incumbent Bill Palmer (20.6%) and newcomers Merle D. Musick (20.5%) and Andrew Repko (just under 20%). Incumbent appointee Cathy...
Kelley retains Latrobe Council seat by slim margin, joined by 2 newcomers
Latrobe voters on Tuesday selected two newcomers to join a returning incumbent on city council. Ann Amatucci topped the polling, with about 28% of the 3,380 votes cast, followed by Bridget DiVittis, with 25.5%, according to unofficial election results. Jim Kelley, the sole incumbent, appears to have retained his council...
3 newcomers, 1 incumbent win seats on Trafford council
Trafford voters added three new faces to borough council in Tuesday’s general election and bid adieu to a 20-plus year council veteran, according to unofficial results. Casey L. Shoub Sr., 70, a Democrat, who was seeking his sixth elected, four-year term, finished fifth for four, four-year slots open, according to...
Westmoreland happenings: pasta dinner, pie sale and drag queen bingo
Church News • Living Word Congregational Church, Jeannette, will host a Sunday morning musical experience featuring 2-time Dove Award winners Angelo & Veronica at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 7 at the church, 2003 Ridge Road. Public welcome. • Mother of Sorrows Parish, 4202 Old William Penn Highway, Murrysville, offers free monthly...
Guilty plea entered in New Kensington fatal overdose case
Westmoreland County prosecutors this week dropped a felony charge of drug delivery resulting in death against one of three men charged in connection with a 2018 fatal drug overdose in New Kensington. Matthew Covey, 50, formerly of Missouri, pleaded guilty to a lesser drug possession charge as part of a...
Anti-mask Republicans win Norwin School Board seats
Three Republican newcomers who vocally opposed the mask mandate in schools and a GOP incumbent beat four other candidates in Tuesday’s election for four-year terms on the Norwin School Board, according to unofficial results. Newcomers Christine Baverso, 44, Alex Detschelt, 45, and Shawna Ilagan, 39, joined incumbent Raymond Kocak, 58,...
Republican sweep in Irwin mayor, council races
Irwin voters opted for experience in Tuesday’s election when they voted for members of council, but not for mayor, according to unofficial results. In the mayoral race, retired state prison guard Jeff Clem, 62, running on the Republican ballot, topped four-term council member Gail Macioce, 68, a Republican who won...
3 incumbents, 1 newcomer win seats on Hempfield Area School Board
Three incumbents who clinched another term on the Hempfield Area School Board will be joined by one newcomer, according to unofficial election results. First-time Republican candidate Jerry Radebaugh led the votes by 22.6%. He was followed by incumbents Scott Learn, 21%; Paul Ward, 20.9%; and Diane Ciabattoni, 20.9%, all of...
New Stanton man sentenced to 10 years in prison for robbery, assaults
A New Stanton man will serve up to 10 years in prison for an armed robbery during which he assaulted two clerks at a local gas station in 2019. Anthony David Gillingham Jr., 33, pleaded guilty Tuesday to multiple charges in four different criminal cases including the incident three years...
Former city employee unseats incumbent in Jeannette Council race
A newcomer is joining Jeannette Council as former city employee Michelle Langdon ousted an incumbent, according to unofficial returns. Langdon, a Republican, got 33% of the vote, beating out Democrat Nancy Peters (29%). Incumbent Chuck Highlands, a Republican, held on to his seat with about 38% of the vote, according...
Incumbents hold off write-in challengers in Penn-Trafford school board race
All three incumbents in the Penn-Trafford school board race earned new terms on Tuesday, and the current warden of the Westmoreland County Prison will join them after earning a school board seat in the district’s Region II. In Region I, incumbent Republican Martin Stovar took nearly 83% of the vote....
